David Mathre Photography

Insects and Spiders

  • Monarch Butterflies in My Backyard (2025 Season)

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    David Mathre
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    Male Monarch Territorial Flight
    Summer in New Jersey. Male Monarch Territorial Flight. Image taken with a Nikon Zf camera and 70-300 mm VR lens.

    This year I had Monarch butterflies in my New Jersey backyard wildflower garden from May through November. I observed the first Monarch hiding in a patch of Mugwort weeds on the 17th of May. I have five varieties of Milkweed growing in my wildflower garden to support the Monarch butterflies. The last Monarch of the season was observed on the 10th of November. At this point, there are not many flowers still blooming so little for the Monarch to feed on. It better be heading south to Mexico (or Florida). There may have been as many as 6 or 7 generations of Monarch butterflies in my backyard this season. In the past I maybe saw one early in the spring, and then several in September and October. The following is a short (5 minute) slide show of the Monarch butterflies in my backyard.

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  • Monarch Butterfly Hiding in the Mugwort Weeds (17-May-2025)

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    David Mathre
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    Backyard Springtime Nature in New Jersey.

    My first sighting of a Monarch Butterfly this year. Of course, I didn’t have the right camera or lens when I saw it but took the shot anyways. With a camera having a 100-megapixel sensor, you have a lot of leeway to crop in. All most as if you have a longer telephoto lens. I do have lots of Milkweed plants growing in the wildflower meadow. I hope to have images of Monarch Butterflies feeding when more flowers start blooming.

    Uncropped Image (11656 x 8742) of a Monarch Butterfly Hiding in the Mugwort Weeds. Image taken with a Hasselblad X2d camera and 75 mm f/3.4 lens (ISO 800, f/8, 1/250 sec).
    Cropped Image (2403 x 1802) of a Monarch Butterfly Hiding in the Mugwort Weeds. Image taken with a Hasselblad X2d camera and 75 mm f/3.4 lens (ISO 800, f/8, 1/250 sec).
    Cropped Image (900 x 675) of a Monarch Butterfly Hiding in the Mugwort Weeds. Image taken with a Hasselblad X2d camera and 75 mm f/3.4 lens (ISO 800, f/8, 1/250 sec).

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I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time observing and photographing the plants and animals while expanding a wildflower garden/meadow in the backyard. When the sky is clear, I have telescopes viewing the night sky.

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Backyard Fall False Milkweed Bug False Sunflower Macro Macro Extension Tube Monarch Butterfly New Jersey Slideshow Spring Springtime Summer

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